Highlight
The Art House Presents
About
Karul Projects will perform SILENCE, choreographed by Thomas E.S. Kelly. Through the beating of a drum, bodies thrash through white noise to continue a 250-year old struggle. The same questions echoed through generations. SILENCE pullsTreaty out from under the rug, slams it back on the table and, with riveting intent, invites you to the conversation.
The Art House Presents
SILENCE by Karul Projects
SILENCE is about the space in between. The conversations not being heard and the responses that are muted. Through the beating of a drum, bodies thrash through frequencies to uncover what lies in the SILENCE.
This powerful contemporary dance performance features seven performers on a minimalist set with evocative lighting. The complex musical score, punctuated by dynamic live percussion, explores past, present, alternate realities and dreamscapes. The entire stage is slowly engulfed in dirt, representing the worldwide call for the return of Indigenous lands.
SILENCE breaks the SILENCE.
SILENCE is produced by BlakDance and the national tour has received financial assistance from the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
The premiere production was co-commissioned in 2020 by BlakDance, HOTA Home of the Arts, City of Gold Coast, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Brisbane Festival, with support by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. 
Cast and Creatives
Choreographer / Writer / Performer: Thomas E.S. Kelly
Rehearsal Director / Performer: Taree Sansbury
Choreographic Dramaturg: Vicki Van Hout
Dramaturg: Alethea Beetson
Performers: Benjin Maza, Glory Tuohy-Daniell, Olivia Adams, Keia McGrady
Percussion Composer / Performer: Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie
Music / Sound Designer: Sam Pankhurst
Lighting Designer: Karen Norris
Costume Designer: Selene Cochrane
Producer: BlakDance
Reviews
“Yes, this is an urgent piece of ceremony”
“Thomas embodies his ancestors teachings, stories of the stars, rivers, ocean and totem animals locate the work in the artist’s traditional homelands”
“Kelly’s movement style is grounded and fluid, rising and falling with a flurry of wild pent-up spinning and stamping” Denise Richardson, Dance Australia
“The dancers move to the driving beat by composer and performer Jhindu-Pedro who has his drum kit on the stage and, boy, does he know how to use it” Phil Brown, Courier Mail
“SILENCE is bold and uncompromising” Richard Bell
“The soundtrack was electrifying and the performance so powerful and riveting, that I had to remind myself to breathe” Audience member
Awards/Nominations
2019 American Australian Association Alumni - Thomas E.S. Kelly
2018 Australia Council’s National Indigenous Art Awards’ Dreaming Award for an Emerging Artist - Thomas E.S. Kelly
2017 Green Room Award for Outstanding Choreography by an Emerging Artist/Choreographer - Thomas E.S. Kelly for [MIS]CONCEIVE
